BfloGirlTravel: 2016 Buffalo bus trips with Know How Tours

Fontana Boathouse
credit: paulathompsonfreelance.com

Know How Tours is another great company to travel with by bus, and in 2016 a few of their day trips will be focused on Buffalo. Here’s a quick look at each:

• Buffalo’s Outer Harbor – on Thursday, June 30, explore the great outdoors with visits to Tifft Nature Preserve, Wilkeson Point and Buffalo Light House Park, lunch at Pearl Street Grill & Brewery and a visit to Flying Bison Craft Brewery. Cost for the trip is $105.
• Buffalo – The Way You Haven’t Seen Before! – on Wednesday, July 27, start the trip at Fontana Boathouse, followed by a trip to City Hall and lunch at Pearl Street Grill & Brewery. After lunch, take a two-hour sightseeing tour with Buffalo River Historic Cruises and stop at Silo City. Cost for the trip is $109. I took this tour a couple of years ago and it’s very informative – and a camera is a must!
• Buffalo’s Happening – on Tuesday, August 16, take a guided tour of Shea’s Performing Arts Center, followed by lunch at the Hamlin House. After lunch, a guided Buffalo City Highlights tour shows off places like the medical corridor and new canal-side developments, followed by a 90-minute cruise with Grand Lady River Cruise. Cost for the trip is $109.

There are plenty of other trips offered by Know How Tours this year, including multi-day trips to New Orleans, Mackinac Island and Montreal – find out more about these and other tours at www.knowhowtours.com. 

BfloGirlTravel: 2016 Buffalo bus trips with The Way To Go Tours

HarborCenter is featured on the Best of Buffalo Tour
credit: paulathompsonfreelance.com

I’m a big proponent of bus trips and bus travel –it’s inexpensive, fun and someone else gets to do the driving! I’ve been to four MLB baseball stadiums, Watkins Glen International, the QVC Studio and many more places on buses, and I’m always on the lookout for new places to explore.

If you’re looking to do some local exploring this spring, The Way To Go Tours has a couple of Buffalo-based bus trips on their schedule:

• The Best of Buffalo – check out HarborCenter, Silo City and 500 Seneca, have lunch at Chef’s, take a bus tour through the Buffalo-Niagara Medical Campus and visit Blue Moon Brewery in this one-day tour on Monday, February 22. Cost for the trip is $89.
• Gourmet Buffalo at Easter – get ready for the holiday with this tour, starting at the Broadway Market and moving on to the European Sausage Shop, Nickel City Cheese, lunch at Scharf’s, D’Volio, Paula’s Donuts and Landie’s Candies. Trip takes place Wednesday, March 23 and the cost is $99.

Find out more about these and other trips, including day trips to the Lilac Festival in Rochester and Corning Museum of Glass, at thewaytogotours.com. 

2016 Buffalo Bandits schedule

credit: paulathompsonfreelance.com

• Saturday, January 9 – at home against Calgary - 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, January 16 – on the road against Colorado - 9 p.m.
• Saturday, January 23 – at home against Toronto - 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, January 30 – on the road against New England - 7 p.m.
• Saturday, February 6 – at home against New England - 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, February 14 – on the road against Georgia - 2:05 p.m.
• Friday, February 19 – on the road against Toronto - 8 p.m.
• Saturday, February 20 – at home against Georgia - 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, February 26 – on the road against Saskatchewan - 8:30 p.m.
• Saturday, March 5 – on the road against Vancouver - 10 p.m.
• Friday, March 11 – at home against Rochester - 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, March 25 – at home against Vancouver - 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, April 2 – on the road against Georgia - 7:05 p.m.
• Saturday, April 9 – at home against Rochester - 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, April 15 – on the road against Toronto - 8 p.m.
• Saturday, April 16 – at home against Toronto - 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, April 23 – on the road against Rochester - 8 p.m.
• Saturday, April 30 – at home against New England - 7:30 p.m.

Chillabration @ Canalside – January 15-18, 2016

credit: Wikimedia Commons/Jina Lee

Chill out during the long holiday weekend down at Canalside Buffalo, which is hosting the inaugural Chillabration, Friday through Monday, January 15-18. Hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday and Monday.

Chillabration will include children’s activities, a local vendors market, live music and food and beverage options. On Friday, saddle up for a Wild West Theme Skate on The Ice @ Canalside, and on Saturday, Catholic Health will host a Bonspiel from 1 to 6 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, Paint The Town will host a painting class in the Winter Pavilion from 2 to 4 p.m. both days. On Monday, the Buffalo Knit-Whits will hold beginner knitting lessons from 1:30 to 4 p.m., and Skate Great and BlueCross BlueShield of WNY will host kids’ ice activities from 1 to 3 p.m.

A full schedule when available can be found and tickets for events can be purchased at www.canalsidebuffalo.com. 

BfloGirlSports: Buffalo teams in January 2016

Buffalo Bills

• Sunday, January 3 – at home against the New York Jets  (1 p.m.)

Buffalo Sabres

credit: Wikimedia Commons

• Saturday, January 2 – at home against the Detroit Red Wings (1 p.m.)
• Tuesday, January 5 – at home against the Florida Panthers (7 p.m. ET)
• Friday, January 8 – on the road against the Chicago Blackhawks (8:30 p.m. ET)
• Sunday, January 10 – on the road against the Winnipeg Jets (3 p.m. ET)
• Tuesday, January 12 – on the road against the Minnesota Wild (8 p.m. ET)
• Friday, January 15 – at home against the Boston Bruins (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, January 16 – at home against the Washington Capitals (7 p.m.)
• Monday, January 18 – on the road against the Arizona Coyotes (9 p.m. ET)
• Wednesday, January 20 – on the road against the Colorado Avalanche (10 p.m. ET)
• Friday, January 22 – at home against the Red Wings (7 p.m.)
• Monday, January 25 – on the road against the New York Rangers (7 p.m.)
• Tuesday, January 26 – on the road against the Ottawa Senators (7:30 p.m.)

Buffalo Bandits

• Saturday, January 9 – at home against the Calgary Roughnecks (7:30 p.m.)
• Saturday, January 16 – on the road against the Colorado Mammoth (9 p.m. ET)
• Saturday, January 23 – at home against the Toronto Rock (7:30 p.m.)
• Saturday, January 30 – on the road against the New England Black Wolves (7 p.m.)

Niagara University Purple Eagles Ice Hockey

• Saturday and Sunday, January 2-3 – on the road against Sacred Heart (both games 7:05 p.m.)
• Friday, January 8 – on the road against Mercyhurst University (7:05 p.m.)
• Saturday, January 9 – at home against Mercyhurst (7:05 p.m.)
• Thursday and Saturday, January 14 and 16 – on the road against Canisius College (Thursday – 7:35 p.m., Saturday – 3:05 p.m.)
• Friday and Saturday, January 22-23 – on the road against the Air Force Academy (Friday – 9:05 p.m., Saturday – 7:05 p.m.)
• Friday and Saturday, January 29-30 – at home against Army (both games 7:05 p.m.)

Canisius College Golden Griffins Ice Hockey

• Saturday and Sunday, January 2-3 – on the road against AIC (Saturday – 7:05 p.m., Sunday – 3:05 p.m.)
• Friday and Saturday, January 8-9 – on the road against Rochester Institute of Technology (both games 7:05 p.m.)
• Thursday and Saturday, January 14 and 16 – at home against Niagara University (Thursday – 7:35 p.m., Saturday – 3:05 p.m.)
• Friday and Saturday, January 22-23 – on the road against Holy Cross (both games 7:05 p.m.)
• Friday and Saturday, January 29-30 – at home against Air Force (both games 7:35 p.m.)

UB Bulls Men’s Basketball

credit: freedigitalphotos.net/
Salvatore Vuono

• Tuesday, January 5 – at home against Akron (7 p.m.)
• Friday, January 8 – on the road against Kent State (7 p.m.)
• Tuesday, January 12 – on the road against Eastern Michigan (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, January 16 – at home against Central Michigan (3:30 p.m.)
• Tuesday, January 19 – on the road against Miami (Ohio) (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, January 23 – on the road against Western Michigan (4:30 p.m.)
• Tuesday, January 26 – at home against Ball State (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, January 30 – on the road against Toledo (7 p.m.)

UB Bulls Women’s Basketball

• Saturday, January 2 – on the road against Eastern Michigan (2:30 p.m.)
• Wednesday, January 6 – at home against Central Michigan (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, January 9 – on the road against Kent State (2 p.m.)
• Wednesday, January 13 – on the road against Ball State (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, January 16 – at home against Akron (1 p.m.)
• Wednesday, January 20 – at home against Western Michigan (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, January 23 – on the road against Miami (Ohio) (2 p.m.)
• Saturday, January 30 – on the road against Northern Illinois (TBA)

Niagara University Purple Eagles Men’s Basketball

• Monday, January 4 – on the road against Iona (7 p.m.)
• Thursday, January 7 – at home against Saint Peter’s (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, January 9 – at home against Manhattan (3 p.m.)
• Friday, January 15– on the road against Fairfield (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, January 17 – on the road against Manhattan (2 p.m.)
• Friday, January 22 – at home against Canisius (7 p.m.)
• Tuesday, January 26 – at home against Siena (7 p.m.)
• Thursday, January 28 – on the road against Marist (7:30 p.m.)
• Saturday, January 30 – on the road against Quinnipiac (2 p.m.)

Niagara University Purple Eagles Women’s Basketball

• Saturday, January 2 – at home against Siena (3 p.m.)
• Monday, January 4 – at home against Fairfield (7 p.m.)
• Friday, January 8 – on the road against Saint Peter’s (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, January 10 – on the road against Rider (2 p.m.)
• Friday, January 15 – at home against Quinnipiac (11 a.m.)
• Sunday, January 17 – at home against Saint Peter’s (2 p.m.)
• Thursday, January 21 – on the road against Iona (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, January 23 – on the road against Marist (7 p.m.)
• Thursday, January 28 – at home against Canisius (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, January 30 – at home against Iona (3 p.m.)

St. Bonaventure University Bonnies Men’s Basketball

• Saturday, January 2 – at home against Davidson (8 p.m.)
• Wednesday, January 6 – on the road against George Mason (8 p.m.)
• Saturday, January 9 – on the road against UMass (noon)
• Wednesday, January 13 – at home against Rhode Island (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, January 16 – on the road against Duquesne(6 p.m.)
• Tuesday, January 19 – at home against Dayton (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, January 23 – on the road against VCU (2:30 p.m.)
• Sunday, January 31 – at home against Richmond (1 p.m.)

St. Bonaventure University Bonnies Women’s Basketball

• Sunday, January 3 – on the road against Rhode Island (2 p.m.)
• Thursday, January 7 – at home against Fordham (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, January 10 – at home against UMass (5 p.m.)
• Wednesday, January 13 – on the road against Davidson (TBA)
• Saturday, January 16 – at home against George Mason (1 p.m.)
• Wednesday, January 20 – on the road against Dayton (TBA)
• Saturday, January 23 – on the road against Duquesne (7 p.m.)
• Wednesday, January 27 – at home against Saint Peter’s (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, January 31 – at home against Richmond (12:30 p.m.)

Canisius College Golden Griffins Men’s Basketball

• Saturday, January 2 – on the road against Marist (7 p.m.)
• Monday, January 4 – on the road against Monmouth (7 p.m.)
• Thursday, January 7 – at home against Manhattan (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, January 9 – at home against Saint Peter’s (2 p.m.)
• Tuesday, January 12 – on the road against Dartmouth (7 p.m.)
• Friday, January 15 – on the road against Manhattan (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, January 17 – on the road against Quinnipiac (2 p.m.)
• Friday, January 22 – on the road against Niagara (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, January 24 – at home against Siena (2 p.m.)
• Friday, January 29 – on the road against Fairfield (TBA)
• Sunday, January 31 –on the road against Rider (1 p.m.)

Canisius College Golden Griffins Women’s Basketball

• Saturday, January 2 – at home against Fairfield (2 p.m.)
• Monday, January 4 – at home against Siena (7 p.m.)
• Friday, January 8 – on the road against Quinnipiac (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, January 10 – on the road against Iona (2 p.m.)
• Friday, January 15 – at home against Saint Peter’s (11 a.m.)
• Sunday, January 17 – at home against Quinnipiac (2 p.m.)
• Friday, January 22 – on the road against Siena (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, January 24 – on the road against Fairfield (1 p.m.)
• Thursday, January 28 – on the road against Niagara (7 p.m.)

Five Things to do in January 2016

credit: freedigitalphotos.net/IceHawk33

A new year means new things to do – here are five things to check out in January.

Visit the Buffalo History Museum, located at One Museum Ct. in Buffalo, and check out a few of their exhibits including: Quilts: Techniques & Styles explores notable quilts and their stories (closes in January); Our Buffalo: A Photographic Retrospective of Buffalo during the 40s and 50s (closes January 10); the John R. Oishei Native American Gallery traces Buffalo-Niagara’s history through its first inhabitants; and Inside Tim Russert’s Office: If it’s Sunday, it’s “Meet the Press.” Learn more about these and other exhibits at www.buffalohistory.org.

Head north of the border for a little icewine at the 2016 Niagara Icewine Festival, celebrating 20 years of “liquid gold” with a variety of events at a number of locations in the Niagara Region of Ontario. Dates are Fridays through Sundays, January 15-17, 22-24 and 29-31. Get a full schedule of events and other details at the Icewine Festival’s website.

If beer is your beverage of choice, check out Buffalo on Tap at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center, Franklin St. in downtown Buffalo. There are three sessions this year – 6-9 p.m. on Friday, January 15 and 1-4 and 5-9 p.m. on Saturday, January 16 – sample more than 100 beers from some of the country’s top craft breweries. A VIP ticket ($75) includes the VIP Hoppy Hour on Saturday beginning at noon (full session noon-4 p.m.), a meal from Santora’s, a Buffalo on Tap hoodie, exclusive samples and more; general admission tickets for each session are $35.

For some outdoor fun, check out the second annual Larkinville Ice Festival on Saturday, January 30 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. There will be festivities at Larkin Square, The Filling Station, Hydraulic Hearth, Flying Bison, the Larkin Center of Commerce and Army-Navy Outfitters, including live music, crafts, outdoor yoga (“Snowga”) and other weather-permitting activities. Find a schedule and more information here.

Warm up the next day, Sunday, January 31, at Buffalo Soup Fest at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center – sample soups from more than 30 restaurants. Tickets for the event will be $5 at the door, and kids 5 and under are free with an adult – purchase soups with $1 “Soup Bucks.” Find more information, including times when posted, at www.buffalosoupfest.com. 

BfloGirlGeek: I find my lack of excitement disturbing…

I still remember the first time I saw Star Wars: I was at the drive-in with my mom and grandma, and I wasn’t there to see Star Wars (maybe a Herbie movie…?). But I was turned around in the back of the station wagon all night watching these space ships flying around, and while I couldn’t hear what was going on, I was a visually-stimulated 4-year-old at that moment, and that continued on for – yikes! –nearly 40 years now.

credit: imgur

Star Wars was special growing up: three movies in seven years, labeled Episodes IV, V and VI; obviously, I, II and III were inevitable, and – while they left something to be desired at times – they resparked the interest of the old fans and brought about a legion of new fans. Sequels, in the form of movies, weren’t really needed – the Expanded Universe (comics, cartoons, books and more) expanded on the stories quite well, giving fans a look back and a look ahead.

Then came Disney.

20+ years of writing and visualization in the Expanded Universe went out the window at Disney’s command – and there were some great stories in there (I really wanted to see Mara Jade in live action). Then they announced there would be six movies released in about five years, beginning with Episode 7 in December 2015. Six movies in 28 years versus six movies in five years = no longer “special.”

I really want to be excited for this, and part of me is – I want to see what this alternate Star Wars universe looks like compared to the old Expanded Universe. But that’s what it feels like right now – Star Wars meets Sliders (I loved that show): same world, similar characters, alternate universe. I feel like I’m going to see it just to get it over with.

I hope I’m wrong and it’s awesome – reviews have been literally out of this world amazing – but, to use a popular line from the original trilogy, “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”